November 12, 2005

The Microsoft executive who oversaw the company’s acquisitions and investments group for the past two years is leaving to join a New York-based financial advisory firm.

Brian Roberts, corporate vice president of the company’s Corporate Development group, will become a managing director at Evercore Partners, the Redmond company confirmed Friday. At the firm, Roberts will join Richard Emerson — a former Microsoft senior vice president who preceded Roberts as head of acquisitions and investments.

During Roberts’ tenure in the position, Microsoft acquired a string of small- and midsized companies to supplement its products and bolster its initiatives in newer areas.